A lone cell phone captured a tornado’s raw fury tearing roofs from buildings in Michigan—on March 6, 2026, defying the calendar’s expectation of winter calm.
Story Snapshot
- Cell phone video shows tornado touchdown near Three Rivers, ripping storage facility roof and scattering metal debris from Menards and Meyers.
- Rare March event in southwest Michigan amid severe thunderstorm outbreak, with nearly 10,000 losing power.
- National Weather Service issued warnings at 4:18 p.m. for storm near Colon, confirming multiple tornadoes including Union City.
- Eyewitness battled intense winds to secure doors while filming cycling rotation and flying debris.
- Storms weakened eastward, threatening Metro Detroit with hail and ongoing hazards.
Tornado Touches Down Near Three Rivers
The tornado struck near Three Rivers in St. Joseph County on March 6, 2026, within the hour before a 4:20 p.m. report. Cell phone footage revealed clear cycling rotation as the funnel ripped through buildings. It tore the roof off a storage facility and hurled metal roofing from nearby Meyers and Menards. An unnamed eyewitness filmed while struggling to secure a door against winds carrying 10-foot debris pieces. This rural area, blending agriculture and light industry, faced immediate chaos.
Rare March Tornado Sparks Warnings
Michigan sees severe weather from clashing Gulf air and cold fronts, but March tornadoes average under two yearly. Southwest Michigan’s St. Joseph and Branch counties experienced sporadic Great Lakes storms. Warmer temperatures and winds fueled thunderstorms across southern Michigan that day. National Weather Service reported a severe thunderstorm near Colon at 4:18 p.m., capable of producing tornadoes moving northeast. Prior confirmations included strikes near Three Rivers and Union City.
EyeWitness and Media Capture the Fury
The eyewitness described winds so strong they hindered door closure amid flying metal. Meteorologist Ron Hillyard of WDIV analyzed rotation on air, noting multiple reports with some confirmed. Local media like WDIV Local 4, Click on Detroit, and FOX 2 Detroit broadcast the footage and interviews. Michigan Storm Chasers provided live coverage. National Weather Service issued warnings for Hillsdale, St. Joseph, Branch, and Jackson counties, directing people to basements.
Immediate Damage and Power Outages
Nearly 10,000 customers lost power in St. Joseph and Branch counties. Debris hazards and quarter-size hail persisted. Businesses like the storage facility and big-box stores suffered roof damage and disruptions. No injuries or deaths emerged in initial reports. Rural communities near Three Rivers mobilized for cleanup. Local officials coordinated restoration while storms shifted east toward Grand Rapids and Metro Detroit.
Expert Views on Unseasonal Threat
Ron Hillyard highlighted the dangerous situation with confirmed tornadoes but noted rotation weakening positively. Michigan Storm Chasers emphasized covering all warnings for education and relief in rare March outbreaks. Media stressed visual drama; National Weather Service focused on factual risks like sheltering from hail and debris. Sources aligned on touchdown details, damage, and outbreak scope. Minor uncertainty lingered on exact timing, but video matched criteria.
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